I to was looking for a simple PCB tool set about a year ago and ended up with Diptrace. I started with the free version but liked it so much I got the non-profit license for larger boards. I also considered Kicad, Autotrax and the Linux gEDA tools. Not a Linux guy so that put it down to Kicad, Diptrace and Autotrax. I evaluated all three, don't think Kicad had an integrated package of both schemtic and PCB, Autotrax seemed the most technically advanced but I could not work it after a couple days of trying, didn't think it was quite ready for prime time. Then I installed Diptrace and had a small test board finished in less than an hour after watching just one short video. The pacakge seemed very natural and easy to use, had all the feature I needed. It has a fairly large library and making new parts is easy. Does have a few quirks and it takes a bit effort to figure out the libary part creation process as some of the terminology is not explained well in the documentaiton. But once you get it figured out the process is quick and easy. Got a good forum and the developers are responsive to issues.
Craig
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Syncopator" <davidbridgen@...> wrote:
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> In the past I have made many p.c.bs using the rub-on transfer method, in
> particular those which Chartwell used to produce (r.i.p.)
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> Although it gave me great satisfaction, I now want an easier method; a
> method of diagram capture, auto routing and board pattern. I don't need
> simulation once the diagram is drawn.
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> I've tried a couple of programs, can't remember which ones, but I found
> them awkward or clumsy to use and I simply ran out of patience.
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> Are there free and simple programs available?
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